Stuffing ground meat, fat and seasonings into a thin tube is an art. And 13 sausage Picassos will put their skills to the test at San Diego's first SausageFest.

Chefs well-known for making artisanal goodies will grind up their best sausages for a cook-off. You vote on the offerings, drink Lost Abbey's "Road to Helles" lager, jam to live music, then take home a festival mug to prove you're this town's biggest sausage-and-craft-beer fan.

SausageFest 2012

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, LOUNGEsix, atop Kimpton’s Hotel Solamar

616 J St. Gaslamp. $10, tickets available at the door. (619) 531-8744 or sdsausagefest.com

The event takes place Wednesday night, on the LoungeSix rooftop (an elevator joyride up from Jsix Restaurant).